Several of the reviews of the book on Amazon say it reads like an infomercial with Bragg doing a lot of bragging. But the real killer for me is that there apparently isnt any science to back up Bragg's statements, just his anecdotal stories.

I'm taking classes in World Food Issues at my university. One of the books we read is called "Hunger," which explores the phenomenon of not eating, be it for fasting purposes or due to the unavailability of food. It's a tad boring, but I would recommend it for further reading on the subject if you are interested.

Hey I think the question is more about your objectives. Are you looking to solve a specific problem or just interested in giving your metabolism a rest?

I've tried juice fasts in the past for 4-5 days at a time. Felt kind of lousy around day 2 (headaches), but after that I found myself to be very clear-headed and full of energy. It's a strange phenomenon.

I wouldn't recommend it long term or doing it very often. Your body needs food in order to function properly. The main issues to look at in my opinion are what you're eating and the quantity. It's very easy these days to eat junk and portion sizes have become much larger over the years.

Triggering our body's emergency responses to hunger, stress, etc., should be done in moderation. Once in a while is probably fine, too often and the benefits can turn into problems.

Q Is Fasting Right for You?I started fasting once a week, but I had to give it up because I was getting severe headaches. Could you suggest anything I can do to prevent the headaches and continue fasting?

Answer (Published 9/29/2003)

You don't say why you want to fast once a week. I have experimented with fasting one day a week as a useful physical and psychological discipline. Many people experience a clearer mental state and increased energy after a short-term fast. When I did my weekly one-day fasts, I consumed nothing but water or herb tea. The first thing I would ask is how much water you were drinking during your fast. You should be drinking at least eight 8- to 12-ounce glasses of water or unsweetened herbal tea. Drinking less than that might explain your headaches.

I hope you were not fasting in an effort to lose weight. Fasting isn't an effective diet tool - it alters your metabolism in a way that actually may make it harder for you to lose weight. Most people compensate for the deprivation of the fast by increasing their caloric consumption afterward.

If you're a coffee drinker or normally consume beverages that contain caffeine, your fasting headaches could be the result of caffeine withdrawal. If that's the case, I would suggest weaning yourself off caffeine before trying to fast again.

Not everyone does well with fasting - thin people and those who are particularly sensitive to cold have a more difficult time. If that's the case, you probably should reconsider fasting. I would also caution about being overly active during a fast. Not only should you rest your digestive system, but you should also take time to rest your entire body. Too much physical activity during this time may also be a cause of headache.

6 years back my mom got a cyst/tumor (don't remember which one it was), she tried doing the diet thing which didn't do much because she ALREADY eats REALLY healthy. She eventually had surgery and the growth was removed after it had reached the size of a full grown cantaloupe along with the ovary. She was out of commission for about 5-6 weeks to recover....

The doctor said given the fact that she stays active and eats really well, it was a total fluke it happened to her at all. So you can imagine my everyone's shock when another growth began to form on her remaining ovary.

K, this doesn't make any sense, but it's totally true. She went to this fasting clinic. She didn't eat for 2 consecutive weeks and on the 3rd week she was restricted to juices. By the time she left, the growth was completely gone. So while it sounds terrible/unhealthy/unsafe, it totally helped my mom out.

Q Is Fasting Right for You?I started fasting once a week, but I had to give it up because I was getting severe headaches. Could you suggest anything I can do to prevent the headaches and continue fasting?

Answer (Published 9/29/2003)

You don't say why you want to fast once a week. I have experimented with fasting one day a week as a useful physical and psychological discipline. Many people experience a clearer mental state and increased energy after a short-term fast. When I did my weekly one-day fasts, I consumed nothing but water or herb tea. The first thing I would ask is how much water you were drinking during your fast. You should be drinking at least eight 8- to 12-ounce glasses of water or unsweetened herbal tea. Drinking less than that might explain your headaches.

Paul C. Bragg PHD. , first what is his PHD in??? How do I know he is credible? Is any of his background medical??? This brings to light a very important lesson. We watch all kind of so call experts in TV ads and on talk shows like Oprah. Look for a new thread in the forums. Sincerely Alan